Cattle farming occurs in all states and territories of Australia.
While dairy cattle are restricted mainly to southern and coastal
districts, beef cattle are concentrated in Queensland and New
South Wales.
Cattle numbers in Australia increased slowly during the 1960s
and 1970s, despite seasonal changes and heavy slaughtering,
to a peak of 33.4 million in 1976. In the northern half of Australia,
cattle properties and herd sizes are very large, pastures are
generally unimproved, fodder crops are rare and beef is usually
the only product. The industry is more intensive in the south,
with higher stocking rates per hectare, because the more favourable
environment allows the development of improved pastures.
The most recent statistics show that approximately 44% of Cattle
are slaughtered in Queensland followed by New South Wales which
now undertakes approximately 24% of the national production.
The following tables gives an insight into the make-up of the
Australian cattle herd and the number of cattle by state and
territory.
CATTLE POPULATION, by State/Territory (excluding ACT)
NSW
'000
VIC
'000
QLD
'000
SA
'000
WA
'000
Tas
'000
NT
'000
Total
'000
2003
5,970
4,264
11,808
1,184
2,165
617
1,571
27,579
2004
6,514
4,406
11,088
1,246
2,100
636
1,700
27,690
2005
6,500
4,300
11,248
1,252
1,500
626
1,800
27,226
App
%
23
16
41
5
7
2
6
100
CATTLE STATISTICS, by purpose
Dairy
Cows
'000
Other
Milk Cows
'000
Bulls
'000
Cows
& Heifers
'000
Calves
'000
Other
Cattle
'000
Total
Cattle
'000
2,171
969
518
12,282
5,872
5,774
27,588
App
%
8
4
2
45
21
20
100
Please note that the above information is given as a guide only.
Australian hides from southern regions are principally derived
from European breeds whilst northern regions are in general
a cross between Tropical breeds and European breeds.
Hide offers are categorised as follows:
Reference to the Australian State of slaughter
(indicates grain quality, presence or absence of tick)
Method of preservation (Drum Salted or Brine Cured)
Type of take-off (mechanically flayed)
Weight range and average weight.
Percentage proportion of sound/cut Hides.
